Oakman founder’s son is the new GM of flagship pub site

Oakman Inns has appointed Eamonn Borg-Neal – the son of founder Peter Borg-Neal –as the new general manager of its flagship property, The Akeman, in Tring.

The Akeman was the first Oakman property that Borg-Neal senior opened 10 years ago when he launched the business and it has since served as the inspiration for the rest of the Oakman Inns group.

The company has grown to an estate of 18 sites across the Home Counties and West Midlands with an annual turnover of more than £25m and employing over 500 people.

Son Eamonn is just 25-years-old but his father says he has earned his stripes.

“The vast majority of our top general managers have worked their way through the ranks and Eamonn is no exception,” he said. “His first job was in 2007 as a glass collector and cellar boy at the age of sixteen and last year he became the general manager of The Akeman Inn in Kingswood. He did a stellar job there and that is why Alex Ford, our operations director, has taken the decision to give him the responsibility of running our flagship site. I am incredibly proud of Eamonn and of the commitment he has shown over the years.”

Eamonn started his career with Oakman as a teenager, initially as a part-time cellar boy before becoming a kitchen porter, commis chef and bar tender.

“My father always wanted me to be more than ready for any roles I wanted to move into in the future and made it clear that I had to progress through all the necessary training and management levels,” he said.

His first major challenge in the new role will be to oversee the extension and refurbishment of The Akeman later this year.